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Habitat for Humanity to host AmeriCorps members for weeklong blitz builds

ATLANTA, Ga. (April 15, 2011) – Habitat for Humanity will engage more than 440 AmeriCorps National and VISTA members during the month of May as part of Habitat for Humanity International’s annual AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon. This year the Build-a-Thon consists of seven regional events scheduled during or around National AmeriCorps Week (May 14-21) and is designed to highlight local community needs for affordable housing and the members’ service with Habitat.

The Build-a-Thon will focus on Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, a national Habitat for Humanity program that encourages Habitat affiliates to address the quality of life issues in neighborhoods through local community-planning partnerships and by expanding housing services available. Work at the Build-a-Thon locations may include new house construction, rehabilitation of vacant properties (including foreclosed properties), house repairs for existing low-income homeowners and weatherization to make houses more energy-efficient and affordable.

“Habitat’s Build-a-Thon provides an opportunity for our nearly 440 AmeriCorps National and VISTA members to come together to share ideas and meet others committed to service and to eliminating poverty housing,” said Larry Gluth, Habitat for Humanity International’s senior vice president of U.S and Canada. “Our AmeriCorps members consistently play a pivotal role in the operations of more than 140 Habitat locations across the country, and their collective efforts have helped thousands of families obtain the dream of homeownership this year alone. We are truly grateful for their service.”

Habitat has partnered with the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that funds and oversees AmeriCorps programs, since 1994. Since then, more than 5,000 AmeriCorps members have served with Habitat for Humanity around the country, building homes, serving communities and gaining valuable perspective about the challenges that face our country and how to meet those needs.

About Habitat for Humanity International Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org[1].

About the Corporation for National and Community Service The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America and the Social Innovation Fund, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov[2].

About Habitat for Humanity National Service Programs Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members have performed more than 5 million hours of service, engaged hundreds of thousands of volunteers and helped build more than 12,500 Habitat houses throughout the United States. For information about AmeriCorps programs, visit www.habitat.org/americorps[3] or www.americorps.gov[4].